A new video has emerged indicating that the Nigerian government may have negotiated with the bandits who abducted schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, before their release on Tuesday. This contradicts earlier claims by officials that no ransom or deal was involved.
The footage, shared on X by @AM_Saleeem, shows the abductors speaking with the girls while heavily armed. One of the bandits questioned the students about military aircraft that flew over the forest during their captivity.
He asked how many jets passed overhead, to which the girls replied, “uncountable.” The kidnapper then boasted that the authorities were unable to rescue the children by force and had to negotiate instead. He and his colleagues also asked the girls about their welfare in captivity.
“Did we leave you hungry?” one of the bandits asked.
“No,” the girls responded.
“Were you assaulted in any way?”
“No,” they replied.
Another armed man said, “We will take you back home safe to your parents, we are doing this based on peace deals.” He again mocked the government, asking how many helicopters hovered above, prompting the students to answer that they could not count them.
Towards the end of the video, one of the abductors declared, “We are letting you go after negotiations. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.”
The video surfaced shortly after Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that all abducted students had been freed. The girls, kidnapped during an attack that claimed the life of the school’s vice-principal, were later seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to transport them to Birnin Kebbi.
Authorities have stated that the students will be handed over to their parents today.
Governor Idris, who confirmed the release of the 24 abducted girls on Tuesday, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving security agencies what he described as a marching order that facilitated the rescue. He also hailed the swift intervention of the Minister of State for Defence and the Chief of Army Staff, who relocated to the state during the operation.
“We are very happy today that our prayers have been answered. The trauma we all went through, both government and parents, cannot be overemphasized. Today we are most grateful to Almighty Allah,” he said.
The governor insisted that no money was paid as ransom, praising security agencies for ensuring the safe return of the students unhurt. He added that the girls were en route to Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday morning for reunification with their families.
